How to Get a Straight Drive

Accuracy from the tee is often overlooked in favor of power. Most amateur golfers want to tear into their tee shots rather than worry about ball placement. But even if you crush the ball, if you do not land neatly in the fairway, you will likely struggle with your approach shot. By sacrificing a few yards from your drive and focusing on ball striking, you may shave off a few strokes from your handicap.

Things You'll Need

  • Driver
  • Golf balls
  • Golf tees
  • Golf shoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a spot on the fairway that you wish to land your ball before approaching the tee. Keep the image in your head as you set up.

    • 2

      Stand in front of your teed ball. Holding the driver loosely in your left hand (if you are right handed); allow the head of the club to rest just behind the tee.

    • 3

      Position yourself in your driving stance with the ball directly in between your feet. Keep your knees slightly bent and keep your left elbow locked and your right elbow loose.

    • 4

      Direct your chest so that it is facing your teed ball while keeping your back straight.

    • 5

      Start your backswing by twisting your upper body to the right. This shifts your weight to your back leg. Try not to force your weight to your right as the twisting motion will do this naturally. Ensure that your left elbow remains locked as you pull back. Keep your knees spread apart to help with the twist.

    • 6

      Begin your downswing by rotating your lower body and hips toward your target. Do not force this rotation by over-extending your upper body and arms. Many golfers slide toward the target instead of rotating; sliding prevents a proper club face connection.

    • 7

      Keep your head still and ensure that it is positioned slightly behind the ball as you swing. Your upper body must not drift back with your arms; this will ensure consistency from hole to hole.

    • 8

      Ensure that your downswing comes forward naturally and without an extra push from your arms. The power of a drive comes from the backswing, not the downswing. If you try to add extra power on your downswing, the center of your club face will skew away from the ball.

    • 9

      Keep your eyes on the ball for as long as it is on the tee. After you have made contact, keep your eyes and head down and resist the urge to look up and follow your ball in the air. If you lift your head prematurely, you are likely to mishit your ball. If you want to follow your ball, let a friend keep an eye on it as it travels.